Techiman (B/A), Aug 29, GNA - Crop scientists and researchers are developing new varieties of cereals and grains that will contain high levels of iron and zinc in order to increase the intake of the two minerals in the country.

The aim is to help reduce the high levels of iron and zinc deficiency among Ghanaians that stands at 80 per cent and also promote good health through the consumption of cereals and grains. Dr Ernest A. Asiedu, Seed Technologist at the Crops Research Institute (CRI) made this known at a field trip organised by the CRI for maize farmers in the Nkoranza District and the Techiman Municipality on Friday.

The trip was to enable the farmers to examine the crop yields of a demonstration maize farm that was planted with quality seeds selected from the grains produced by the farmers. It was part of a yearlong research conducted by the CRI to build the capacities of maize farmers in the two districts to identify and sort out quality seeds from their farm for replanting. Dubbed "Capacity Enhancement Project (CEP)-Ghana" it was a collaborative research by the CRI and the Danish Seed Health Centre (DSHC) with support from the DANIDA.

It also provided the farmers with the techniques to undertake proper storage of their grains to prevent pest and disease infections. Dr Asiedu said CRI had also developed four new groundnut varieties, which were high yielding and resistant to diseases and pests. He said crop research scientists were committed to come out with seed varieties that were of quality nutritional values and high yielding in order to improve the nutritional requirement of farmers and also increase their incomes as envisaged in the millennium development goals. Dr Opoku Ahwenee Dankwa, Plant Seed Pathologist of CRI and leader of the research team, said most farmers were unable to plant certified seeds due to poverty and inaccessibility of the seeds by the farmers. The research, he said, was to build the capacities of the farmers to enable them identify and be able to sort out quality maize seeds from their own farms for replanting.

Farmers in the Yilo Krobo, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Kintampo, Atebubu, and Ejura-Sekyedumasi districts have already benefited from the project. Dr Joseph Adu Mensah, Plant Entomologist, warned the farmers against the use of excessive chemicals on their farms and stored produce. He said chemicals were very harmful and advised the farmers to always contact extension officers before buying and applying chemicals on their farms.

The farmers commended the CRI for the project and appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to take charge of the sale of farm chemicals in order to prevent the sale of fake and dangerous chemicals. 29 Aug 06